Weekly Round-up by Anisa Fathima
December 3, 2006
It was a week that saw young girls in the city vowing not to take dowry at the state-level seminar organized by several associations on the issue of 'Girl Child and Education' on Monday November 27. The seminar was important from the point of view of the problems of encountered by young women in present times.
Though the 21st century may be the era of the liberated woman, but the situation of women still remains pitiable in many parts of the country. Dowry deaths are very much a part of the crime files and assaults on women are a common occurrence. Woman empowerment and awareness of the rights of women are basic necessities to counter the menace. Only education can give women the independence to speak out and make a living for themselves.
Though the government has introduced several schemes for women, they are still unaware of the same, or have been prevented from making use of them from their male counterparts. This is an issue that cannot be solved easily, and a concerted effort from all concerned is needed to empower women.
MANGALORE: YOUNG GIRLS TAKE OATH AGAINST GIVING DOWRY
It was a major achievement for our police force when the team led by Western Range IGP H N Satyanarayan Rao cracked a notorious adulteration network in the district and seized fuel and tankers amounting to more than Rs 40 lac.
Fuel adulteration is a menace that has not only caused problems to consumers but also resulted in huge loss to the government in terms of tax duties. The gang was in operation for quite sometime but it's only now that the culprits have been caught. However, the network would be much larger and it might be hoped that the arrests will lead to opening of a big jar of worms. The nexus involved the drivers of the tankers too. People who had problems with fuel efficiency or other troubles with their vehicles would now know why. The law has to come down heavily on such perpetrators of crime. A severe punishment will also serve as a deterrent to others who indulge in similar acts.
MANGALORE: FUEL ADULTERATION NETWORK CRACKED - 25 ARRESTED
Meanwhile, another grave criminal offence came to the fore when 42 labourers from Tamil Nadu were freed from a quarry following a complaint of bonded labour from one Venkatesh who was one of the labourers in the quarry. The Tamil Nadu police arrived in the district and with the help of the tahsildar the labourers were set free.
The case is in a few tangles as different versions have been given by the labourers, the tahsildar and the quarry owner. While the labourers are alleging that they had been forced to work, the quarry owner insists that Venkatesh had taken money from him while promising to bring in more labourers. The tahsildar is playing safe by stating that labourers had personal reasons to be unhappy with the job.
While it cannot be said for sure as to which version would be correct, the quarry owner will have to face charges of child labour too as some of the labourers were kids. If indeed it was bonded labour, why is that the labourer brought it to light only now? Lots of questions remain unanswered, and only a thorough investigation will reveal the truth.
UDUPI: TAMIL NADU POLICE RAID QUARRY AT PAMBOOR - 42 LABOURERS HELD
The news gladdened the hearts of all those who have been associated with the fight against HIV-AIDS is that of the district having the lowest rate of prevalence in the state. On the occasion of World anti-AIDS day on Friday December 1, the fact that the prevalence rate has dropped in the district cheered many.
AIDS has been classified as one of the deadliest diseases that have caused havoc in the lives of many a sufferer. This is one ailment where knowledge and precaution are of utmost importance, as so far no cure has been found out. In India, there is a lot of stigma attached to AIDS and many who acquire it end their lives out of shame. This is one aspect that NGOs and other organizations have been repeatedly fighting against.
The prevalence rate may have dropped, but there is a long way to go before the people of the district can be totally aware of the disease and take precautionary measures as well as develop a more sympathetic attitude towards those afflicted with the killer disease.
MANGALORE: HIV PREVALENCE RATE IN DISTRICT AMONG THE LOWEST IN STATE
It was a thoroughly entertaining MCC meet which once again ended with corporators lodging police complaints against each other and showing all kinds of antics including a few yoga poses. As like last time, the meet was once again adjourned by the mayor.
The corporators are making a mockery of their posts by indulging in such melodramas at the MCC meet. The meetings are held to discuss issues that are bothering the people who put them in power, but instead they are revel in attacking, threatening and filing complaints that would do no good to anyone.
It almost seems as if the presence of the media, especially news channels, is fuelling their eternal habit of grabbing attention. Or else why perform yoga in such a meet?? What kind of example are they setting? It is quite embarrassing and disheartening to know that these are the very people the citizens placed their trust on. It doesn’t look like things will ever improve, till then we'll just continue to watch some more antics at the forthcoming meets.
MANGALORE: RUCKUS IN MCC MEET - CORPORATORS FILE COMPLAINTS
The week ended with the onset of the old fear that had taken hold of us just a couple of months ago. The murder Mulki-Moodbidri constituency BJP general secretary Sukhanand Shetty resulted in mob violence and curfew in Mulki and surrounding areas. Two people were killed in the police firing while several shops and vehicles were set ablaze, reminding one of the terrors that rocked the region in October.
Dakshina Kannada district is a sensitive region where even minor incidents have sparked off communal tension. The presence of communal outfits representing opposing groups of people has managed to incite hatred in the hearts of people most of who are from underprivileged sections of the society and who get easily carried away by creamy talks.
But the police seem to have learnt their lesson from the last riots - this time they were quick enough to impose curfew, and though property was damaged and lives were lost in the firing, the riots did not spread to the other parts of district, at least until now. Business rivalry seems to be the cause behind the murder, but if so, the police have failed in their responsibility in coming out to the people and assuring that it was not communal so that further rumours and fears may be averted.
MANGALORE: VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT IN MULKI - TWO REPORTED KILLED IN POLICE FIRING
Hoping that the coming week restores peace in the region, here's a wish for a calm and enjoyable weekend. See you next week!
Anisa Fathima
Daijiworld.com - Mangalore
Earlier Weeks